I need help with lifts

coreylubahn · Post by **coreylubahn** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 11:26 am

Okay, so I have read the posts and searched history and if everyone will please tolerate me bringing this topic up again, what would everyone recommend for me to lift my truck. Everyone seems to recommend the PA 2" BL, but I am questioning whether that by itself is enough (I just don't like the factory low look). Once my stock tires are shot (about half there) I would like to get some new ones...sounds like with a 2" BL that 30s are as big as possible, so that might have to be okay, unless there are other options. This truck is my daily driver and I want to keep it comfortable as stock (or better) so I think going too tall is out of the question (and hard to quantify for most of you I bet). I really like the look of AZS10Crew's truck, but is that really only a 2" BL with 30 inch tires? I don't know...I just don't want to waste a lot of money just to be unhappy with the results. I know that wheel spacers are in desperate need anyway as the tires just don't look correctly positioned from the factory. This would be the first truck I've ever had that was (will be) lifted, so I am really new to all of this and just trying to get a handle on what does what, etc. Thanks for any replies!!

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 12:11 pm

hey corey i right with ya i have never lifted a truck just always left them stock and i havent lifted mine yet but i did just order a set of 30/9.5/15 tires and some wheels so im hoping it will look somewhat better to me, but the 2in lift will be sometime early next year as im married and the wife says no .

bubaloo1983 · Post by **bubaloo1983** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 12:20 pm

body lift, torsion bar crank and shackles and you can run 31s. i did and had no problem...many people will say other wise but i didnt rub untill i actually got a lift and had the tires offset. if you stay stock i think your ok ( with wheel offset)

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 12:26 pm

you'd be surprised what a difference just widening the stance makes. without any lift, all I did was reduce backspacing by 2" and mine looks like a completely different truck.

I gotta get some pics up here

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 12:29 pm

i just ordered wheels and tires online i hop everything fits ok i went with a wheel that had 5in backspacing and 30in tires all stock

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 12:32 pm

jeff024 wrote:i just ordered wheels and tires online i hop everything fits ok i went with a wheel that had 5in backspacing and 30in tires all stock

that might be a lil' tight. nuttin' a hammer won't fix though.

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 12:53 pm

the tires will be 29.5 overall the stock GYs are 28.9 now so its not that much and ifs its to much then the ((wife )) will see it needs lifted

2bunik · Post by **2bunik** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 12:56 pm

but i did just order a set of 30/9.5/15 tires and some wheels so im hoping it will look somewhat better to me

you can order tire but not install a 100$ BL

coreylubahn · Post by **coreylubahn** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:05 pm

So if I want to add some spacers what does everyone recommend?? I assume that I would want to use a bigger rear than front correct? Now adding spacers (and then doing a 2" BL if that is the way I go) won't cause any rubbing with stock or 30" tires correct? I assume that putting the tires farther outside the body doesn't create any rubbing concerns by itself does it? Thanks for all the information....you all rock!!!

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:08 pm

the lift wont be 100 i need the lift /shackles / shocks / and i dont have 15hours on my hands right now but it took a few weeks to talk my wife into the wheels and tires so i went for it

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:10 pm

I have 30x9.5/15s on wheels with 1" less backspace, 1.5" TB crank and daystar shackles. I have had no rubbing issues but, then I don't go rock climbing with them.

I plan on a 2" BL early next yr.

I think it really varies from truck to truck what works and what doesn't

Retep · Post by **Retep** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:16 pm

coreylubahn wrote:...I assume that I would want to use a bigger rear than front correct? ...I assume that putting the tires farther outside the body doesn't create any rubbing concerns by itself does it? Thanks for all the information....you all rock!!!

If you put spacers up front without a body lift, you will rub like a mofo.

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:23 pm

i havent done anything to lift it but crank the TB that was shortly after i got it so i hope like hell these wheels and tires fit ok i may have sold my wheels and tires on ebay. i need something or the wife will be without for a few days

Bad_Ass_S10 · Post by **Bad_Ass_S10** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 2:46 pm

Straight axle it, you wouldnt believe this but the money you spend on a IFS filt for your truck, you can straight axle it - I spent 2500 to do my truck ( not counting wheels and tires ) thats new springs, rebuild both Dana 44 axles, 4.88 gears,stainless steel brake lines,new/ longer drive shaft, u bolts, steel, chrome molly tubing, everything - and an IFS kit cost 1750, body lift 250, and what ever gears/ locker cost you depends on if you do them or not but you aretalking 500 - 1000 -

with a 6" lift and 3" boby lift you can fit 35's ????
I fit 39"s and if I wanted I could change my 8" springs out for 12" springs and ride on 44's but thats too much on out 4.3's even with 4.88 gears

but this is my opinion - and I drive my truck on a regualr basis and it uses about the same amount of gas - lil more in town but on hwy I get 300 miles a tank

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 3:36 pm

jeff024 wrote:i havent done anything to lift it but crank the TB that was shortly after i got it so i hope like hell these wheels and tires fit ok i may have sold my wheels and tires on ebay. i need something or the wife will be without for a few days

That's exactly my backspacing and tire size

I wouldn't worry about with your TB crank.

Eric H · Post by **Eric H** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 3:39 pm

I have a 2" body lift and run 30x9.5" Dunlop Mud Rovers on 15x7" wheels with 4.5" of back spacing. If I hit a bump while turning (ex: entering my driveway) the tires rub the rear of the front fenders. I just haven't gotten a chance to go at it with tinsnips and a BFH.

-Eric H

coreylubahn · Post by **coreylubahn** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 3:57 pm

jeff024 wrote:the lift wont be 100 i need the lift /shackles / shocks /

Why couldn't you just buy the lift? Do you have to do shackles, shocks, and the tbar crank? Just curious if I decide to tackle this myself. Thanks.

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 4:06 pm

not really but i figure while im under there ill just do everything at once . and i already cranked the TB to level my truck up.

malkavian · Post by **malkavian** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:07 pm

Straight axle it, you wouldnt believe this but the money you spend on a IFS filt for your truck, you can straight axle it - I spent 2500 to do my truck ( not counting wheels and tires ) thats new springs, rebuild both Dana 44 axles, 4.88 gears,stainless steel brake lines,new/ longer drive shaft, u bolts, steel, chrome molly tubing, everything - and an IFS kit cost 1750, body lift 250, and what ever gears/ locker cost you depends on if you do them or not but you aretalking 500 - 1000 -

the six inch super lift I was quoted at 1500.00 and from what I understand that is a bolt in kit. Ive done a few lifts on cherokees and can install a suspension lift in about 6 hours or so. I think for moderate off road use and the like I would go with the super lift.

How is 1750 for the sfa kit then what you spent on wheels tires rebuilding axles . lockers run any where from 200 to 600 per diff, then if he dosnt have the know how or a good friend he will have to pay someone to fab up a sfa setup, set up gears with lockers, drive shaft for the front.

I can do lots of that stuff myself and have a friend who is a great fabricator. But the cheapest I was able to come out priceing everything and that is sourceing some parts from junkyards was a little over 4 grand. Just in parts. But I was looking at doing a coil spring or coil over setup.

bubaloo1983 · Post by **bubaloo1983** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:31 pm

i just dont see the point running 29.234332234 inch tires when the stock ones are 29 new?

31s look way better then any other tire on our trucks not suspension lifted i think. and there not hard to run. in total you will spend 40 dollars on shackles free t bar crank and 200 bucks on a bodylift. and then you can run some "tires" the ones that are .5inches bigger then stock arent even worth changing

bubaloo1983 · Post by **bubaloo1983** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:42 pm

just run these...

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:03 am

going up to a 30in tire almost gives you another inch .7-.9 larger . if it looks better and function is fine im ok with that and I needed new tires the GY rts have 44000 miles on them though they still have over half the tread they are slick as hell in the rain , and im on the east coast and snows commin soon im sure.the GYs will never get me through the snow .also there starting to make more noise then an AT tire.

coreylubahn · Post by **coreylubahn** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 6:02 am

Doesn't cranking the Tbar mess with drive angles and wear out CV boots? I thought I heard this somewhere on this forum. Also, is it really just as simple as taking a wrench and cranking on the adjuster to get added height in the front? Seems easy enough. Finally (told you I needed a lot of help), what exactly do the shackles do for me? I'm really new to this and can't seem to find a club around here that I could join and learn, so you guys will have to be my sounding board (and for that I am eternally grateful). Thanks!

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 6:44 am

barch97 wrote:I gotta get some pics up here

Finally...

see my album for a few more

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 6:54 am

coreylubahn wrote: Doesn't cranking the Tbar mess with drive angles and wear out CV boots?

Yes, it does. But, like anything else, it's all about moderation. A few turns will give you a little more height up front and stiffen the ride a bit. As you've pointed out, it also changes the angle of the wheels thus requiring that you have them realigned immediately after adjusting your torsion bars.

coreylubahn wrote:Also, is it really just as simple as taking a wrench and cranking on the adjuster to get added height in the front? Seems easy enough.

Yes, it's just that simple. Jack up the front end until weight is off the front wheels. Turn the bolt on each side of the truck. Clockwise = tighter/higher & Counter clockwise = looser/lower.

I tightened mine three full turns about two months ago when I replaced my wheels and tires. Took it right over to the alignment shop, straightened it out. Then got back underneath and lubed everything up front pretty thoroughly. The angle on the cv joints / half axles is noticeably steeper but nowhere near binding. The ride is a bit stiffer (more truck like) and there's still plenty of flex in the front end.

For more detailed instructions, see "Torsion Bar Crank" on the mods page.

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 7:27 am

what covers on your truck barch? extang

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 7:50 am

Zip&Go!

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 8:11 am

mine hooks the same way no snaps

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 8:16 am

barch97 wrote:
barch97 wrote:I gotta get some pics up here
Finally...
image
see my album for a few more

Pictures! Now we can finally put a truck with that name

I like it. What color is that? It looks kind of "rosewood like" in the photos.

Any thoughts on how to mod the red GMC lettering in the grille? Custom insert? It would have to be black anodized of course , or Carbon fiber decal? Maybe black decal?
I really like the GMC grille opening, but don't care for the lettering in the middle.

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:31 am

oh no no no... the translucent red GMC logo is my favorite part. not touching that EVER!

the body color is the infamous old man color... "sandlewood". I love it with the black accents.

Retep · Post by **Retep** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:37 am

HenryJ wrote:...Any thoughts on how to mod the red GMC lettering in the grille? Custom insert? It would have to be black anodized of course , or Carbon fiber decal? Maybe black decal?
I really like the GMC grille opening, but don't care for the lettering in the middle.

See Rogerbaby at
ZR2.com

coreylubahn · Post by **coreylubahn** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:20 pm

So I talked to someone at the local 4X4 shop and he said that the only kit that he knows of that is made for our trucks is a 2 inch Superlift kit, which may be since the 6 inch isn't out yet.

Anyway, the big thing is that he mentioned that he wouldn't recommend a body lift on a truck with airbags and that he in fact wouldn't perform it due to liability reasons in the case of an accident. Should I be concerned about performing a BL? I think that with the directions on the website here and the instructions I think that I can probably handle it. Is there something to be worried about if ever I have an accident?

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:43 pm

coreylubahn wrote:So I talked to someone at the local 4X4 shop and he said that the only kit that he knows of that is made for our trucks is a 2 inch Superlift kit, which may be since the 6 inch isn't out yet.

What he is trying to say is that he is grossly misinformed and unaware of all the lifts.

...he wouldn't recommend a body lift on a truck with airbags and that he in fact wouldn't perform it due to liability reasons in the case of an accident....

Refer to the previous statement and run, don't walk, run laughing from this individual!

Give yourself a weekend , gather a buddy, wife , girl friend, boy friend, neighbor kid, what ever it takes and do it yourself

justinlee5 · Post by **justinlee5** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:15 pm

Alright, I never put my 2 cents in, but I have to now. I was a truck virgin about a year ago and wanted a Tacoma but did not have the dough. So I got our truck and hated the way it looked for months. I finally just sucked it up and got a 5" TM lift. It totally changes the truck look and feel. If the tire size, ground clearance bugs you then you have to do something about it. I now have a chevy that turns the heads of Tacoma owners cause it's taller than their trucks. This is my daily driver, my gas mileage stinks, it cost me money I don't have, BUT it is a wicked sweet truck that my girlfriend has trouble getting in and out of without a little help...there ain't nothin betta'

And....this site rocks.

Brule how do I get an avatar?

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:41 pm

Welcome to the site and it looks like HJ has already fixed you up

Only been here under 6 months and still cannot figure out how he has a full time job, a beautiful family, a volunteer something or another in the public service arena and is always on the ball here.

Haven't heard airbags come up before from an installer. This is something new to me. Can see where it would be a concern with the weak of heart with a BL when the front bumper is involved.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 7:48 am

f9k9 wrote:...Can see where it would be a concern with the weak of heart with a BL when the front bumper is involved....

Right back to the "misinformed" (targeted at the dim witted installer, not you Reed

) The airbag actuators have nothing to do with the bumpers.

The actuators are inertia based. Picture them like a weight suspended by rubber in the middle of a diaphram. when a strong/sharp enough stopping force is applied the weight slams into the contacts at one end to send an electrical charge to the airbag deployment device.

The airbags themselves can be spooky too, but knowledge is power.
Look at them as a canvas bag with a 50cal black powder charge inside. Set off the charge, the bag inflates.

Many people are afraid of working around explosives, but still manage to work around things just as dangerous if not more so. How about fueling your vehicle? Static discharge can be just as dangerous if not more.

If you tamper with or need to remove any part of the SRS , caution should be used. But not fear. Keep your face/body clear of the deployment path. Discharge the system (many contain capacitors to store energy) and prevent static activation.

All this being said....the BL will not affect the airbags function , nor will it be necessary for you to work with it in the body lifting process. The battery will be disconnected, and pulling the fuse ABS is merely a precaution that you can take if you wish.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 8:42 am

barch97 wrote:oh no no no... the translucent red GMC logo is my favorite part. not touching that EVER!...

Oops, I stepped on toes

(note to self, don't mess with teh barch's "ugly" red lettering

)

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 1:34 pm

HenryJ wrote:
barch97 wrote:
barch97 wrote:I gotta get some pics up here
Finally...
image
see my album for a few more
Pictures! Now we can finally put a truck with that name

I like it. What color is that? It looks kind of "rosewood like" in the photos.

now how do I get mine added to the rotating pics on index page?